Monday, April 4, 2011

Constant Conversation W/God April 3-4

April 2011

Kimberly McCarthy

Everyone. Everyday. Everywhere...

Week Of April 3rd Monday, April 4th 2011

AWE- ALMIGHTY GOD!

Make My Life Excellent In You-Constant In Your Courage!

I, Kimberly Ann McCarthy am destined to live in the glory of Your strength and not worry or fear anything, because all things belong to You. I will turn to You in prayer in all the circumstances and situations of my day.

Daniel Fast Day 4! Gleaming From Daniel- Learning:Growing!

Daniel Chapter Two

1 IN THE second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams by which his spirit was troubled and agitated and his sleep went from him.2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, the enchanters or soothsayers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans [diviners], to tell the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.3 And the king said to them, I had a dream and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.4 Then said the Chaldeans [diviners] to the king in Aramaic [the Syrian language], O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.5 The king answered the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me! And the decree goes forth from me and I say it with all emphasis: if you do not make known to me the dream with its interpretation, you shall be cut in pieces and your houses shall be made a dunghill!6 But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So show me the dream and the interpretation of it.7 They answered again, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation of it.8 The king answered, I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see the thing is gone from me and because you see that my word [against you] is sure:9 If you will not make known to me the dream, there is but one sentence for you; for you have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me [hoping to delay your execution] until the time is changed. Therefore tell me the dream, and I will know that you can tell me the interpretation of it.10 The Chaldeans [diviners] answered before the king and said, There is not a man on earth who can show the king this matter, for no king, lord, or ruler has [ever] asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean.11 A rare and weighty thing indeed the king requires! None except the gods can reveal it to the king, and their dwelling is not with [human] flesh.

My Thoughts About These Verses As I Listen To The Holy Spirit:

God is really good at bringing us face to face with our human limitations. We get these attitudes that we can do anything, but truly without God, we can do nothing that matters. It made the King angry when he heard: I can't do it. People put expectations on us in this culture that we just can't meet. No matter what our experience, no matter what our human titles, no matter how high we have been promoted, we need God! I was created to be in relationship with God, to need God!

12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed.13 So the decree went forth that the wise men were to be killed, and [the officers] sought Daniel and his companions to be slain.14 Then Daniel returned an answer which was full of prudence and wisdom to Arioch the captain or executioner of the king's guard, who had gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon.15 He said to Arioch, the king's captain, Why is the decree so urgent and hasty from the king? Then Arioch explained the matter to Daniel.16 And Daniel went in and desired of the king that he would set a date and give him time, and he would show the king the interpretation.

My Thoughts About These Verses As I Listen To The Holy Spirit:

When you walk with God and suddenly situations come up with impossibility and doom flooding your life, God will always show you the next step. Daniel had the wisdom he needed, in the worst of this situation because his focus was always on God, his life was not about his gain here, but God's gain here. In the face of an impossible-dangerous situation, Daniel had God's wisdom and so can I. The king of Babylon did not get his way, so he decided to destroy everyone that could not help him. My Awe-GOD is so very different from this human king, My Father God works in divine purpose that benefits His Kingdom and does not destroy me because of my human inability and weakness. They were serving the wrong king! Daniel was serving the right King and because of that, he had the right wisdom for his "suddenly-situation". Father God help me to serve You 1st always. I desire to be aligned to Your Kingdom purposes, the way Daniel was, I truly want to be called to You 1st, to walk in Your situational wisdom from moment to moment. I can do all things through You, but in and of myself I would be like the wise men of Babylon, headed towards destruction.

17 Then Daniel went to his house and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions,18 So that they would desire and request mercy of the God of heaven concerning this secret, that Daniel and his companions should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night, and Daniel blessed the God of heaven.20 Daniel answered, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever! For wisdom and might are His!21 He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding! 22 He reveals the deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him! 23 I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers, Who has given me wisdom and might and has made known to me now what we desired of You, for You have made known to us the solution to the king's problem.24 Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon; he went and said thus to him: Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon! Bring me in before the king, and I will show to the king the interpretation.

My Thoughts About These Verses As I Listen To The Holy Spirit:

AWE-GOD! The 1st thing Daniel did in this huge crisis, was to bow before You, Father God and acknowledge that he did not have what he needed in his situation, he needed You. I thought, how cool, not only did he do this, but he led others to do it too. He had confidence in You, Lord and that confidence was contagious. I pray to be like that. Oh Holy Spirit, show me how to walk in such a way with My Father God, to know Him so intimately that I too can walk with the confidence that Daniel had. I loved how You, Father God answered him right away after he prayed and you gave him discernment, exactly what he needed for his next step. You are our Way-Maker! How precious that Daniel did not just run off with the answer, but he stopped to praise You. How many times I have forgotten to do that, please forgive me Lord. I realize over the last two years that Gratitude is a huge way to "fight the good fight of faith". Gratitude has developed my AWE-GOD and is breaking my focus off this world. In times of trials, we forget our gratitude exercises. We get so focused on the trouble, we forget the goodness of our God. Gratitude is an amazing weapon of spiritual warfare, it changes our attitude, therefore not giving the enemy a stronghold in our thought pattern. It guards our hearts so the issues of our life are stepped out in Holy alignment with God's purposes that are already in play. God's purposes where already in play in Daniels situation and he stepped out on the right path of God purpose. Daniel took what God gave him and confidently- boldly- courageously asked for an audience with the king, at the risk of his own life, he put his call to God 1st. I am no where near this Lord, because as Pastor Todd Mullins said: "We have taken the sacrifice out of salvation." Oh Father God, how that convicted me… I have been culturalized to believe that my salvation is a "feel good" for me position. When things did not go the way I planned and I suffered, I got angry with you and I did not step into the path of the Kingdom purpose that was in play. Please forgive me Lord, for the so many times that You have had to deal with my will, because of my culturalized ideals of my salvation. I am not here for me, I am in this culture for You and for Your Kingdom. Forgive Me Jesus! Cleanse Me! Change my heart Oh God!!!

25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him: I have found a man of the captives of Judah who will make known to the king the interpretation [of his dream].26 The king said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen and the interpretation of it?27 Daniel answered the king, The [mysterious] secret which the king has demanded neither the wise men, enchanters, magicians, nor astrologers can show the king,28 But there is a God in heaven Who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what it is that shall be in the latter days (at the end of days). Your dream and the visions in your head upon your bed are these:29 As for you, O king, as you were lying upon your bed thoughts came into your mind about what should come to pass hereafter, and He Who reveals secrets was making known to you what shall come to pass.30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than anyone else living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king and that you may know the thoughts of your heart and mind.31 You, O king, saw, and behold, [there was] a great image. This image which was mighty and of exceedingly great brightness stood before you, and the appearance of it was frightening and terrible.32 As for this image, its head was of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze,33 Its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay [the baked clay of the potter].34 As you looked, a Stone was cut out without human hands, which smote the image on its feet of iron and [baked] clay [of the potter] and broke them to pieces. 35 Then the iron, the [baked] clay [of the potter], the bronze, the silver, and the gold were broken and crushed together and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors, and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them could be found. And the Stone that smote the image became a great mountain or rock and filled the whole earth. 36 This was the dream, and we will tell the interpretation of it to the king.

My Thoughts About These Verses As I Listen To The Holy Spirit:

What a miracle of God that occurred to save their lives. I realize, when I am walking on the path where Kingdom purposes are in play, I got there because of selflessness, my personal relationship with AWE-GOD and a deep desire to put my call to God 1st! Daniel kept walking in the purposes of God as he pointed out the deficiency of the human condition and put their focus on AWE-GOD! But, there is a God… When I face situations way beyond my control, there is a God-purpose in play, God by His Sovereignty has positioned me in the situation. He is in control and His Kingdom Will is working not just on me and in me, but for the benefit of everyone in the situation. God makes the impossible (Daniel knowing the dream that the king had and interpreting it) possible, there is no one like OUR GOD! But there is a God in heaven Who reveals and He will make known… let God Work! It is kind of cool to see Daniel staying humble and taking no credit whatsoever for the revealing of the dream and its interpretation. He is constantly pointing them back to GOD! Father I know this is how he stayed in the flow of the kingdom purposes in play, he could not see them, but he knew God was using him and he kept himself aligned with humility by keeping and pointing himself and others to GOD!

37 You, O king, are king of the [earthly] kings to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the might, and the glory. 38 And wherever the children of men dwell, and the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens--He has given them into your hand and has made you to rule over them all. You [king of Babylon] are the head of gold.39 And after you shall arise another kingdom [the Medo-Persian], inferior to you, and still a third kingdom of bronze [Greece under Alexander the Great] which shall bear rule over all the earth.40 And the fourth kingdom [Rome] shall be strong as iron, since iron breaks to pieces and subdues all things; and like iron which crushes, it shall break and crush all these. 41 And as you saw the feet and toes, partly of [baked] clay [of the potter] and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom; but there shall be in it some of the firmness and strength of iron, just as you saw the iron mixed with miry [earthen] clay.42 And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of [baked] clay [of the potter], so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle and broken.43 And as you saw the iron mixed with miry and earthen clay, so they shall mingle themselves in the seed of men [in marriage bonds]; but they will not hold together [for two such elements or ideologies can never harmonize], even as iron does not mingle itself with clay.44 And in the days of these [final ten] kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its sovereignty be left to another people; but it shall break and crush and consume all these kingdoms and it shall stand forever.

My Thoughts About These Verses As I Listen To The Holy Spirit:

Respect earthly authority, only and because you Revere AWE-GOD, Who by His Sovereign design has placed them in that position. Respect is due those in authority because of God's Sovereign Will. I don't always agree with some people in authority, but I do respect them because of Jesus Christ and His Sovereign Will that I know is in play. I believe it! God is the author of authority and the giver of it to those He deems to use for His Kingdom purposes! I love how Daniel put that in verse 1. He told the king he respected his place of authority, yet he also pointed the king to God, reminding the king that it was God who gave him that position of king. Oh my gosh! Verse 44, in the middle of this messy human drama, Father God speaks of Jesus, our Redeemer and King Who will set up a Kingdom that will stand forever. The Kingdom of God! I can be a Daniel, Who God uses for His Kingdom purpose to bring forth, usher in truth, prophecy, discernment and understanding by His Holy Spirit. How cool was that! In the middle of all the raging human conditions that the enemy had stirred up, Father God tells of His Coming Kingdom! AWE-GOD! He never ceases to amaze me! Thank You Jesus! AWE-GOD! Thank You Holy Spirit!

45 Just as you saw that the Stone was cut out of the mountain without hands and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold, the great God has made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter. The dream is certain and the interpretation of it is sure.46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and paid homage to Daniel [as a great prophet of the highest God] and ordered that an offering and incense should be offered up to him [in honor of his God].47 The king answered Daniel, Of a truth your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a Revealer of secret mysteries, seeing that you could reveal this secret mystery! 48 Then the king made Daniel great and gave him many great gifts, and he made him to rule over the whole province of Babylon and to be chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon.49 And Daniel requested of the king and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained in the gate of the king [at the king's court].

My Thoughts About These Verses As I Listen To The Holy Spirit:

When we rely on our GREAT GOD, He will make things known, in His way by His plans and through His Kingdom purpose. Glory came to God and He was recognized because Daniel gave his life completely, to the call of God in total Followship of God! God gave Daniel and everyone around him great Favor. Daniel did not bow to his culture, He bowed to God. Daniel did not want anything as much as he wanted God and to follow His God 1st! Wow, I don't have any words. I know I need to change some things… AWE-GOD! I need to cut some roots from this world… transplant them into Kingdom Soil! I know one thing for sure after reading chapter two and hearing from God about it, I am inadequate in this human condition. I have felt like I was not enough a lot, but now I know without a doubt I am insufficient for this great Kingdom Cause and I need, I need to fully face my God and be found in Him, be called to Him in complete Followship of Jesus Christ – always and forever!

Notes From Daniel CD Beth Moore #2

We are free from the kind of dietary regulations because of the New Covenant.

How we become spiritually relevant and stay culturally relevant in the same way. In some way we try to be somewhat culturally relevant. Strong in Christ, majoring on the things of major importance. Not being legalistic. Our challenge is how to live in this culture we have been assigned. Too. How do we live here in this kind of self absorption influence, complete over stimulation, far more than enough and not become corrupted by it. We were meant to influence our culture not it influence us, we are going to have to resolve.

The King has a terrible dream, he is very troubled, calls his wisemen, wants them to tell them what the dream was and then interpret it. How can they interpret a dream they do not know. The king challenged them saying if you feel you are supernatural, you should be able to tell me the dream and interpret it. Daniel is part of this system of wisemen, so this also threatens their lives.

VS 13 The threat is before Daniel… VS 24 The entire theme of Daniel is : There is A God in heaven, Who reveal secrets, and mysteries…

This chapter gives us a taste of prophecy

Compare Verses 36 & 45 The kings dream was true in future events36 This was the dream, and we will tell the interpretation of it to the king… Just as you saw that the Stone was cut out of the mountain without hands and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold, the great God has made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter. The dream was true and had eschatology in it. Bible prophecy that has already come about. Eschatology means last, final ultimate. It is bible prophecy that is about the end of times… so this was both prophecy that has already been fulfilled and Eschatology that has not. Dream covered his reign to the coming of the Messiah. Prophetic panoramic of gentile history from his reign until the forth coming reign of Israel's messiah. It was political in nature talking about Gentile empires. We were born out of Jewish roots, but we are a gentile non Jewish empire in this dream.

Luke 21:5 The disciples asked God what would be the signs of the Kingdom coming.. vs 2424 They will fall by the mouth and the edge of the sword and will be led away as captives to and among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (completed).Great distress will be in the land and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of Gentiles will be fulfilled. The times of the Gentiles is exactly what is being prophesized in Daniel 2. Nebucennser took Judah captive. History unfolds each thing that Daniel told the king. Over the next centuries, the interpretation came true.

Isaiah- Who can tell it and bring it to pass… only the One True God

God sided fulfilled prophecy as one of the distinguishing features between false gods and the One True God!

Each portion of the statue were 4 empires and there were four. The next empire that will come is the Kingdom of Christ.

VS 32 Head of pure gold; Interpretation of the head was King Nebecnezzer. Historical fulfillment is the Babylonian empire of 626-539BC

VS 36-38 The interpretation is King Nebecanezzer - 626 To 539 BC Babylonian empire in our history

As the materials go down the statue seen in the dream, they diminish in value and increase in strength… Showing our society does not grow more glamorous and more opulent in moral values, it grows less and less, no matter what the image is from the outside, it is diminishing in personal values. We trade off values for strength. Trying to get strong, but giving up the value to get stronger. Compromise value so you can be strong in position. Compromise our value so we will be strong… Diminish in personal values

In our work places we compromise our values so we can be strong in position. WE are stronger in position but less value in spiritual relevance. Beth Moore

Chest and Arms Of Silver Medo-Persion Empire VS 39 Will arise… 539 To 339BC- Chest and the two arms - Joining together of two nations: Persia and Media: to unite against the Babylonians and they overtook them and ruled during that time. Famous ruler was: Darius and Cyrus The Great…

Isaiah 44: Cyrus The Great… 24 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and He Who formed you from the womb: I am the Lord, Who made all things, Who alone stretched out the heavens, Who spread out the earth by Myself [who was with Me]?-VS 28 Who says of Cyrus, He is My shepherd (ruler), and he shall perform all My pleasure and fulfill all My purpose--even saying of Jerusalem, She shall [again] be built, and of the temple, Your foundation shall [again] be laid.

Cyrus A Gentile King that the Lord anoints for His purpose

Isaiah 45: 1 THUS SAYS the Lord to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held to subdue nations before him, and I will unarm and ungird the loins of kings to open doors before him, so that gates will not be shut.2 I will go before you and level the mountains [to make the crooked places straight]; I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut asunder the bars of iron.3 And I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, Who calls you by your name. 4 For the sake of Jacob My servant, and of Israel My chosen, I have called you by your name. I have surnamed you, though you have not known Me.5 I am the Lord, and there is no one else; there is no God besides Me. I will gird and arm you, though you have not known Me,

Does not acknowledge God: God called- anointed Cyrus in 45:1 This was written 150 years in advance of Daniel, Cyrus did not exist then and then mentioned in Daniel's dream interpretation of the very king who freed the Jews from Babylon. Yes, This is a gentile king who the Lord anoints for a very important purpose! Hmmmmmm God anointed Cyrus, called him by name way before he was born

He was the very king who freed Babylon's captives and allowed them to go home.

The Jews were freed by Cyrus, Who was used by God to do it! A lot of the Jews would not go home because they had prospered in their Babylon… friendly captivity, hard to let go of. We don't want to be daughters of Babylon who are spiritually irrelevant; we want to be culturally relevant but not spiritually irrelevant. They were absorbed into the Babylon culture until there was no difference in them. They assimilated into the Babylonian culture and no one knew they belonged to God. We need to know where our true home is and when the door opens to go home, we do not need to cling to stay here, even if it has been friend to us

VS39 The third Kingdom was Greece- Alexander the Great… 331 To 63 BC

Head made of Gold Babylonian empire - chest and arms made of silver Medo-Persian Empire – and then belly and thighs made of bronze- a kingdom of Bronze the Grecian empire under Alexander The Great died in his early 30's conqueror so many empires and then wept when there were no more to conqueror and then the fourth Kingdom Rome- strong as Iron crushes all of these, the legs made of iron VS 40-43 Roman Empire to AD 76- Roman empire had a massive division east to west. Two legs could be the divided empire. Feet and toes baked clay and iron, a divided kingdom… VS 42 Partly strong, partly brittle… 44 In the time of those kings, the God of heaven sets up a Kingdom

Head- Gold; Chest Arms – Silver Belly Thighs Bronze Legs- Iron VS 41 The feet and toes… Turns into eschatology – end time events - Each portion of the statues represents a world empire – there have been exactly four as he said there would be…

Ten toes on a normal foot… where this talks about 10 toes later in Rev 13:1 17:12 foretell a ten nation confederacy that will operate jointly at the time of Christ's return. This roman empire feeds into the culture we live in today. West- Rome the other East Constantinople as capital… West centered on Rome- If each of those legs represent the division of the Roman empire, we come from the west side, the entire Americas is Roman based- all courts – national symbol is an eagle, same as power in Rome - Rome is now a religious empire… German rulers were called Ceasers… The whole of the Western is stamped with the Roman image… when we are told that this Roman empire will have affects all the way down through the extension of the legs through the toes – ten nations that will be together at the time of Christ's return. What would be next on the Kingdom calendar

Compare Dan 2:34-37 Rock Cut Out But Not by human hands VS 45;

Josh 8:31 Altar of sacrifice of uncut stones by human hands… Rock and Stone as imagery used of God – No man cut the hands and feet of My Son – The Stone was cut by the Father Himself! Jesus Is The Rock!

The time of those kings… the 10 Kingdoms… The Kingdom to come is an uncut stone of a Sovereign God. The stone was cut by the Father Himself, so we could be saved. Jesus! The Rock!

31 As Moses the servant of the Lord commanded the Israelites, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, an altar of unhewn stones, upon which no man has lifted up an iron tool; and they offered on it burnt offerings to the Lord and sacrificed peace offerings.

The thousand year reign of Christ is a literal Kingdom. Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done. The Kingdom of God is being built up in our hearts, but Jesus will bring the real Kingdom to earth in Jerusalem, He will rule in righteousness on his throne and all will bow before Him.

Group Of Psalms Called: Hallel: Psalm 113-118 All said in its entirely at orthodox Passover meal- on the Eve of Christ's death, He sat at the Passover meal, as Father at that table, He told the story of Psalms 113- 118… some of the last verses He recited were at the end of Psalm 118, hours before his crucifixion. On The Eve Of His Crucifixion- Jesus Read This Hallel At The Passover Meal How Significant That Was!

Look at this as being said on the Eve of His Crucifixion. Jesus saying: This is the day, the Lord has made, these were words He said replete with meaning, because He know Who was going to be the Passover Meal that Passover!

Psalm 118:

22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.23 This is from the Lord and is His doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day which the Lord has brought about; we will rejoice and be glad in it.25 Save now, we beseech You, O Lord; send now prosperity, O Lord, we beseech You, and give to us success!26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; we bless you from the house of the Lord [you who come into His sanctuary under His guardianship].

Psalm 118:22 Repeated By Peter in 1 Peter 2 :4 Come to Him [then, to that] Living Stone which men tried and threw away, but which is chosen [and] precious in God's sight. 5 [Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.;

In The Building of the temple by Solomon, They were given a big stone that did not fit and because they were told not to cut stones on the site, they put this stone to the side, they kept this stone on the premises, and then when they needed the cornerstone, this stone fit perfectly. It was a stone that was originally rejected, then it fit perfectly as the cornerstone. This is what is being referred to as the Cap Stone in the scripture… this is still the mentality today, Jesus does not fit as the Messiah, He did not fit expectations, but when all the pieces finally come together, they will see that Jesus did fit, He is the Cap Stone. A Rock will come, A Rock that only God could create, His feet will hit the Mount of Olives and it will quake by His touch. His Kingdom will come and He will reign.

1st Advent A Stumbling Stone 2nd Advent A Smiting Stone and all will see Him and acknowledge Him. He Who Says Does – He speaks and it comes to pass. Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done On Earth As It Is In Heaven.

There is a Kingdom coming that will never end, the same Kingdom that Daniel interpreted in the dream that Nebuchadnezzar had: Daniel 2: 44 And in the days of these [final ten] kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its sovereignty be left to another people; but it shall break and crush and consume all these kingdoms and it shall stand forever.

Look at the prophecies, history unfolds every one of them exactly as they were interpreted by Daniel

It came through exactly as he said it would over the next centuries.

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I am destined to live in the glory of Your strength, AWE-GOD! I will not fear or worry! I will turn to You in #prayer in my all today!

In our work places, when we compromise our values so we can be strong in position, we become stronger in position, but have less value in spiritual relevance. Beth Moore

I am not here for me, I am in this culture for You and for Your Kingdom. Forgive Me Jesus! Cleanse Me! Change my heart Oh God!!!

Please forgive me Lord, for the so many times that You have had to deal with my will, because of my culturalized ideals of my salvation

Hallowed be Your name, Lord. Do whatever it takes to be holy in my life. Take your rightful place on the throne. Exalt yourself. Magnify yourself. Glorify yourself. You be Lord, and I'll be quiet.

Max Lucado http://www.maxlucado.com/

Exhortation- The Shepherd's Communicated Love-Wisdom!

I have been praying for you. Transitions can be hard, yet they can be so God Adventurous! You have a lot to look forward to as God prepares you for this new season of your life in Him, and huge amount of heavenly hindsight to feed your gratitude attitude and strengthen you in God's joy during this transitional time. I am doing a final edit on my book and was working on this page today. I copied it in this email because... ummmmm the Holy Spirit told me to! :) Enjoy!

The Bridegroom Speaks About Responsive Clay!

From The Bride:

Dear Jesus, Life is rapidly changing and nothing fits for me in this season! I am so restless! This can't be what you have for me! Will I ever get through this season of my life and find my place in this world? The pieces are just not fitting together in pleasant ways for my life! I do not like the direction my life is growing in.

Dear Precious Church,

I AM your All in All and it is I who have brought you to a time such as this! Trust Me! I AM the Potter and I will finish what I started in You. Believe in Me completely and as you do, your faith will hold you up until My Grace establishes perfect order, balancing all your unsteadiness and smoothing out the rough places of your life-path. Remember, I called you and it wasn't because of your might or your personal ability; I called you by My power, by My Sovereign design and through My Omnipotent Spirit, Who resides in your inner man and encourages-teaches you from My Heart–to-your heart. Precious Bride of Mine, I will carry out My plan for your life and You will see My Glory revealed in you!

Bride of Christ, you are a vision I see by the eyes of My Spirit. You reflect the hope of My greatest heart's desire, as I long to be in a personal relationship with My created ones! If you could glimpse through My eyes, you would see My prospected purposes! My Kingdom purposes are in play all around you today, working for the good of My Kingdom. My Bride, today I ask you to set your gaze upon the potter's wheel, envisioning the image of a magnificent-flawless- beautiful-strong vessel of light. I see you as that container, sitting finished and waiting to be filled! If only you could see what I see Bride of Christ! Look and see through your spiritual eyes of faith and believe I have the best in mind for you!

Bride of Christ, Most Loved One, come and sit on My potter's wheel. Do not resist My touch as I mold and shape you into the design reflected in the eyes of my soul, for a time such as this. I have formed in My mind a vision of You with the purpose and intents I have for you, Bride of Christ. I ask you to calm down, be reasonable, sit still and let Me work. I want you to be pliable, responsive clay in My hands - trusting Me completely. When I touch Your life in order to shape you, I expect you to respond to My touch. I know what I am doing. I AM capable of finishing what I start in you. I sympathize with you as you sit on My Potter's Wheel; I understand you are upset. I realize this is not where you expected to be at this point of your life. My Bride, I see your inner-man wondering, trying to figure things out and calculate your own course correction for your life - something that makes rational sense to you. If there was a tornado, would you step into it? Your emotions have stirred up a whirlwind as I hear your thoughts questioning, over thinking and rationalizing My Will for you. Make a choice to not engage with a tornado that is spinning mind-thoughts into an emotional frenzy; this is your enemy setting a trap you don't need to step into! I ask you to cease this endless nonsense-chatter you so readily surrender you mind-thoughts to. Be quiet, rest your weary mind! Be still! Sit silently, restless one and submit to Me! Be wise as you walk through this transitional phase and diligently guard your heart. Wait on Me to finish what I have started! Church, what I have envisioned and designed for you will come into being by My Spirit and Truth! Set your heart by My Kingdom Time! Don't be impulsive or in a hurry, restless one! I know you would prefer to settle for what seems good to you, just to get finished quickly and see an end result!

I AM your endgame. Rest in My Hands! You only see in part, I see in whole. Trust Me! Don't be impulsive! Wait! Give Me Kingdom Time To Work! Bride of Christ what I desire for you is the best and it is going to take a sacrifice of your time and a bending of your will as you sit quiet and still in My Hands. You, My Church, are the gleam of hope in the eyes of My Spirit. Sit tranquilly-willessly as you wait and believe in The Potter's ability to create an ingenious vessel and fashion in you a new, undivided heart for a season such as this one. Behold I am doing a new thing, will you not know it My impulsive one? The answer is Yes! Yes, My Bride, you will mature and you will know and come to the truthful realization that all things are temporary and your permanent place is in the position of My Grace, where your victory is assured! Wait on Me! Give Me Time To Create My Masterpiece! I have a plan for you and it is a perfect plan! I don't expect you to identify with the part you see; all I ask is that you do not doubt Me and submit yourself passively to the touch of Your Master's Hand, as you trust in My whole plan for your life - the current season you see and the next season, you don't see. I AM fashioning something new in you, molding, shaping and defining you for a new season in your life. Church, be still and know that I AM your God! You were born again, reconciled and renewed for a time such as this and I chose you for this culture and I will assign you this culture by My Spirit! I Love You Infinitely. I purchased your life because that is what I chose! I desired you! I AM your Perfect Advocate in this season of change! Bride of Christ, are you willing to sit on My Potters Wheel? Is your will pliable clay? Will you be responsive to My touch and be agreeable to remain on My Potter's Wheel until I finish what I start? Church, will you trust your tomorrow to the design of The Potter by My Kingdom Time – not the time on your watch?

My Precious Bride, the Kingdom of God is at hand from the inside of you to the outside and I will exercise My plan and see My heavenly ambition fulfilled! My Bride, you will be the vessel in My hands I will use to bring salvation, deliverance, love, healing, wisdom, revelation, encouragement, restoration, unity and peace to My children. I love you with an everlasting love and nothing will keep Me from expressing My love to you. No one in your world and no principalities of darkness can stop Me from Being! I AM! Church, receive all I have for you and always-forever be found In Me. My glory will be revealed in My Bride on earth just as I see it finished in heaven. Jesus!

The Bridegroom's Spoken Word! His Voice Written On Your Heart!

Day 1 - 2Day 3 – 4Day 5 – 6Day 7 – Selah

Jeremiah 18:1-10 Isaiah 26:7 Isaiah 40:3-8 Philippians 3:17-21

Psalm 119:73 Job 10: 8-13 1 Peter 2:9 Isaiah 64:6-12

Isaiah 29:13-16 2 Timothy 1:12 Ephesians 3:30 Philippians 1:6

Esther 4:14 Romans 9:4 Revelation 17:14 2 Timothy 2:20-22

Mark 14:15 Philippians 3: 8-14 John 15:9-17 Romans 9:20-33

Excerpt From The Bridegroom's Voice Written By Kimberlymac

Week Of March 28th , Sunday, April 03, 2011

AWE- ALMIGHTY GOD!

Make My Life Excellent In You-Constant In Your Courage!

I, Kimberly Ann McCarthy will listen to your voice this day and hear my call to your purpose for this very moment. I, Kimberly Ann McCarthy am a dreamer in the Promises Of My God! Today, I will cling to the miraculous possibility and not lose hope. Yes, I will dream-expect-believe in my AWE-GOD!

Daniel Fast! Gleaming From Daniel- Learning And Growing!

Notes From Daniel CD Beth Moore #1

Summer of 605 BC! 1st Chapter We are looking into an ancient time, but not at characters in a fictional play, but real people that we can get to know. The names in Hebrew would be written in Alphabetical order, but they wrote it with Daniel's name 1st to show this was about Daniel.

We also have an enemy who wants to return us to places God called us to leave. He wants all the ground and spiritual progress we have ever made, he is all about backing up, he wants to take us back in to the place of our greatest despair and deepest stronghold.

Babylonian – It is no accident that the people of Judah were held captive by the Babylonians.

Genesis 11:1-4 Shinar and Babylonia are the same place. VS 4 So we can make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the whole earth VS 8-9 So the Lord scattered them, confounded the languages, this is why it was called Bable- because God confounded the language. Babel represents rebellion and making a name for yourself.

Genesis 12:1 What Country were they leaving- Ur of the Chaldees- It means the same thing Babylonians. When the Babylonians came and took Judah captive, they were taking them right back to where they started…. They were taking all the way back to the beginning, where they started. This is exactly what the enemy wants, he want us to believe we have made no progress at all. He wants us back in that old familiar pit.

Daniel 1:2 The Lord delivered Jehoiakim… In His Sovereignty God is still master over them, the same as when they went to the promise land. God did it, handed them back to their enemies, yet He was still Master.

The Lord hands us over for a season so we can learn the lesson we are will bent not to learn. God can mess with us with an oppression that feels like it is more than we can handle.

God is faithful to His Word, even when it is bad news! I am not kidding-- Has God ever said that to you? Do not play with fire or flirt with disaster- Obey Me! God is Sovereign – Even In Captivity. The Lord Delivered Them Into Nebuchadnezzer's Hands.

We are also from the seed of the Kingship. VS 3 Sought out young men from the Royal Family of Judah. From the seed of the Kingship… Colossians: Taken out of darkness into the Kingdom of Light. 2 Peter- We are a royal priesthood, part of the Kingdom of God. We have a citizenship that is not of this world. Phil 3:20… Yet we are held captive here in this world by our own Babylon. Captive for this season in a world to which we have been assigned- God has assigned us to this world, but the enemy has assigned the world to us. The question is what influence will win out? A surrounding Babylon, a Babylon of our own… which one will win out? The war that surrounds us in this culture. We in western Christianity are surrounded by a Babylonian culture, we must wise up to it and the literal indoctrination that it has in our lives. Babylon is a representation of something much bigger than a particular land, it is a philosophy a way of thinking, an attitude, a cultural moray. Day in and day out we get brainwashed by it, is it getting to us? We need to have something to offset the indoctrination of our world culture. This is the world we live in, we are assigned to this culture, and it has been assigned to us. What kind of influence does it have on us?

Isaiah 47:8 addresses Babylon, a picture of what it is! Memorize the mentality of this scripture so you know it when you see it. VS10 Babylonian, I am, nothing else is important but me, I will live for me, please me and nothing is important but me. The Babylonian mentality shows up in us every time we take on the attitude, I must consider me 1st in this… In our Christian culture we must be crucified to Christ… we don't matter, we were sent here to make a mark for the Kingdom of God. Babylonian mentality: I have to find myself. I am… I must be considered here… mentality of complete self absorption. To every degree you encounter it and it rears up its ugly head, this is Babylon. Or biblical world view, self view, other view and God view is very different from what we are taught in Babylon culture. BE intentional-very deliberate to not be indoctrinate -or self absorbed by our culture. Be people God can use for His Kingdom purposes.

Daniel 1: Portrayal Of Our Culture- VS 4 Went for the nobility – no blemishes – great in appearance. Smart- Young – Beautiful…. Youth – Beauty – Intelligence. How together can we appear and how beautiful we can possibly be, how young we look… we are caught up in this cultural bondage.

This is the culture we live in. VS 5 Notice they were literally given the indulgences of the kings table- Babylon characterizes complete over indulgence VS 16 Choice food- Choices that inundate us in the culture we live in, we have so many choices! Inundation of over indulgent choices before us. Increase choice is part of the problem of dissatisfaction = stressed out unsatisfied people wanting-getting more and still not happy. Beth Moore

We get more and more and more and we don't feel better… why because Babylon lies! In all the drama of overindulgence, we are not happy. Our satisfaction does not come from indulging; in our culture we are overindulged and out of control.

Nothing is more dangerous than friendly captivity! This is what we find ourselves in – accommodating Babylonian attitudes: If we can afford it, I want it. Life becomes all about us and what we can gain. Captivity never remains friendly, it will turn on us every time. In our culture are we getting influenced by the over indulgence of choices? You can get it your own way! It is all about you! It is all about what you want! We are overwhelmed in a sea of self absorption. Babylon portrayed complete indulgence. We can lose our identity in Christ and our integrity by overindulging in cultural choices

One thing has I desired and this is what I see… I want to know Jesus! Lord what would cheat me of you? I only want you.

We too will lose our identity and our integrity without resolve. VS 8 Daniel resolved not to defile himself. He purposed- determined with his heart. He determined to set his heart on heavenly things and not earthly things Colossians 3 Our world wants to rename us and characterize us, it wants to corrupt us… we must recognize the cultural surroundings that we have. We will know the mentality of the "I am" besides me there is no other mentality, how can we live in the midst of it and not be corrupted by it or defiled by it.

Are we being carried away by Babylon… VS 6 These were four among many… we see only four of them stand up and say no. They were absorbed by the culture and become irrelevant. Our purpose on this earth is to be relevant for the Kingdom of God for His glory, not to be indoctrinate so no one can tell the difference between us and the culture we live in.

Why did Daniel draw the line about the food from the King's table? These were things that were considered to defile a true Israelites. We are not under this law, so in this way our challenge is harder.

We understand the defiling of sexual perversity and overuse of drugs, but how would we know where to draw the line of overindulging on the choices our culture puts before us. 1 Cor 6:12 Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things. Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become slave of anything or be brought under its power.

VS 12 Test us give us Vegetables… in Hebrew translation: That which grows from sown seed. Not only vegetables, but fruits, grain and bread baked from bread, anything from a sown seed. In that culture -To share a meal was to commit oneself to friendship – a covenant significance… Daniel was saying: we will not commit to friendship from this world.

We need to look at our lives and ask the question: Are we overindulging in the many choices of our culture? Daniel resolved, determined in his heart that he would not become corrupted by his culture. We must recognize the cultural surroundings. I see it, I want it my way, I have to have the best label, the better things of life. Have it your way, you deserve it, you work hard! This is our cultural Babylon! How do we draw the line of overindulging on the choices our culture sets before us?

Are You Happy Now?

My Thoughts About This:

I am on the Daniels Fast and I am reading the book of Daniel, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal His heart and the condition of my heart to me. I feel very convicted about all the years I spent wanting things that my culture said I should have… in fact for years my culture spoke and I listened:

Have It Your Way! I did have it my way! I bought things I could not afford, spending way to much money on something because it was a name brand, something I could have gotten with much less money and something I truly did not need - just wanted it.

I can see how our culture sweeps us up in our age, the generation of the workaholics! In our age of work! Our culture demands when you take a 40 hour position, it is never truly considered to be 40 hours - many more are culturally expected! We never stop to rest or be with other people, it is work, work and more work and through this workaholic-cultural indulgence we are isolated from others and our family life is just plain tired left-overs.

We don't run our race paced with God, we kindle our own fires and walk by the light of them and they burn out so quickly! (Isaiah 50) We burn ourselves out! Even in the church, don't think the church has been exempt from cultural influence! People expect so much from the church in these days, that they use up the church staff – burn them out as the church staff tries to micromanage cultural desires! I know I have experienced this- I indulged in that cultural device! Staff turnover in churches today is simply outrageous and it is equal to the degree of the growing spiritual laziness and cultural attitudes of the people in it. Church goers - they expect choices and variety and church staff work hard to indulge the cultural say so, to give them what they want! Yes, even the church has been culturalized to believe it has to do much for its people… ummmm people who truly don't belong to them, but belong to GOD!

It is no longer a sacrifice being a Christian, it is what can I get and will it be good and perfect for what I need. Feed me! Feed me a lot! Feed Me My Way! Meet My Needs! Churches go into debt trying to be staff driven churches who give myriads of ministry choices to "feed the wants of people" and the lay people never truly learn about the sacrifice of their salvation, because they are enjoying the cultural indulgence too much! I heard a message from Pastor Todd Mullins and he said: "We have taken the sacrifice out of salvation"! Ouch! Double OUCH!! Read The Book Of Acts! Look At How Much We Have Been Indoctrinated By Our Culture! If you can't find a lay person to "do" a "needed" ministry, work your staff harder – longer and make it happen… hire another staff person… Do you hear the sounds of a fire being kindled? Who is kindling the fire in the Bride Of Christ and what light are you walking by?

Isaiah 50:11

Behold, all you [enemies of your own selves] who attempt to kindle your own fires [and work out your own plans of salvation], who surround and gird yourselves with momentary sparks, darts, and firebrands that you set aflame!--walk by the light of your self-made fire and of the sparks that you have kindled [for yourself, if you will]! But this shall you have from My hand: you shall lie down in grief and in torment.

We need to look at our lives and ask the question: Are we overindulging in the many choices of our culture? Daniel resolved, determined in his heart that he would not become corrupted by his culture. We must recognize the cultural surroundings and the influence that they can have over us. I see it - I want it my way - I have to have the best label or I will not be happy – I deserve the better things of life – they will satisfy me.Have it your way, you deserve it, you worked hard for it, you should have the best this world has to offer! "This is our cultural Babylon! How do we draw the line of overindulging on the choices our culture sets before us?" Beth Moore!

Beth Moore said this:

"We in western Christianity are surrounded by a Babylonian culture, we must wise up to it and the literal indoctrination that it has in our lives. Babylon is a representation of something much bigger than a particular land, it is a philosophy a way of thinking, an attitude, a cultural moray. Day in and day out we get brainwashed by it, is it getting to us? We need to have something to offset the indoctrination of our world culture. This is the world we live in, we are assigned to this culture, and it has been assigned to us. What kind of influence does it have on us?"

Christian! Are you influenced by your culture so much that no one can see a difference between you and your culture? I have been! It is time to step up and be a Daniel, say no and say it with resolute-determined courage and out of a complete love-reverence for our AWE-GOD! We were not put here in a time such as this, to indulge in the many choices of our culture; we were put here to be used by God, to be in a Holy Alignment with Him and to bring forth His Kingdom purposes! We were put here, assigned to this culture to make an impact for the Kingdom of God! "Our enemy would like to assign us to this culture and culturalize us, yet we belong to God, to His Kingdom." Beth Moore

I am! Recognize me! I want it! I deserve it my way! I am not satisfied with anything but the best! I see what I want and I won't be happy until I get it! I deserve it! Are you happy now? Think About It!!

Christian! Are you influenced by your culture so much that no one can see a difference between you and our culture? Think About These:

1 Corinthians 6:12 Just because something is technically legal doesn't mean that it's spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by with, I'd be a slave to my whims.

Daniel 1:8But Daniel determined that he would not defile himself by eating the king's food or drinking his wine, so he asked the head of the palace staff to exempt him from the royal diet.9 The head of the palace staff, by God's grace, liked Daniel,

Proverbs 4:23-27Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. 24 Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you. 25 Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you. 26 Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. 27 Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil.

"And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."Luke 14:27

You follow Jesus because of His invitation and His worthiness. You follow Jesus because His way is the best way and because you are His disciples. You follow Jesus because there is none other who offers an abundant life on earth and eternal life in heaven. You follow the Lord because He leads you toward His will. He is worth following because He can be trusted; He will never lead you astray. The Lord's leadership is perfect, potent, and practical. Therefore, pursue Him as a faithful follower. Do not hold back one ounce of obedience and loyalty to your leader, Jesus Christ. Where He leads you, follow. Where He sends you, go. His path will be painful at times, but it is in your pain that He purifies. Follow Him and you will be forever grateful, for He does not disappoint.

Follow Him through your difficult days. Do not give in to the temptation to quit. Where else is there to go? This is the insightful question Peter posed out of frustration (John 6:68). It is in your adversity that you desire the Almighty. He is not occupied with a celestial distraction somewhere far away. He is still leading you through this valley of despair. Do not give up on Him, for He has not given up on you. He still lovingly leads even though your soul feels resistance. He will pull you through this present predicament. Use this time of challenge to strengthen your faith in Him. Stay behind Jesus, and depend on His wisdom and care. If He can handle the forces of hell, He can handle whatever circumstance is crushing your confidence.

Follow Him through the fog of fear. He is just ahead and can be trusted without reservation. Follow Him in your success. These good days may be for a season, so shower all the glory of God over your accomplishments. Progress and positive results are cause for celebration and praise to the Lord. Make sure everyone knows that you answer to a higher authority in Almighty God. He is the reason for your financial rewards and your accolades from impressed onlookers. Success is meant to inspire us to follow Him with even more abandon and humility. The momentum your Maker has given you is there to propel you ahead in faithfulness. Follow Him through this season of success so you will not be tempted to depend on self. Self- followers self-destruct. Jesus-followers, on the other hand, handle success with humility. Give God the glory during these good times. Leverage the Lord's blessing for His Kingdom. Follow Him.

Lastly, follow Him and become fishers of men (Mark 1:17). Jesus is in the soul-saving business. So, as you follow the Lord you become very interested in His business. You take stock in saving souls because this is the industry of His Kingdom. His investments provide the greatest long-term return. You fish for men and women because your heavenly Father longs for their love and loyalty. You follow Him so others may follow Him. Follow Him so your family, friends, and foes may follow Him. Faithfully follow God, and you will inspire others to do the same. Disciples follow their wise and loving leader, Jesus.

QUOTES THAT ENCOURAGE-INSPIRE GROWTH-CHANGE ME

Many people don't think they are loved, or held safe, and so when suffering comes they see it as an affirmation of their worthlessness. The great question of ministry and the spiritual life is to learn to live our brokenness under the blessing and not the curse.

Henri J. M. Nouwen http://www.henrinouwen.org

****My Prayer! I Place All My Expectation In You, Almighty God!*****

Psalm 62:5 (amplified) My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him. He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved.

Stay behind Jesus, and depend on His wisdom and care. If He can handle the forces of hell, He can handle whatever circumstance is crushing your confidence.

Boyd Bailey

Father Touch V and by Your Spirit, strengthen her. Father show her her next steps with clarity, guide her, with confidence move her forward. Jesus help V to depend upon Your wisdom and care. Send her help with this move she needs to make, open the doors for her and bring to her everything she needs by Your Spirit. Jesus!

Father God, touch Brian and Jill, guide them by Your Spirit – Be their Way-Maker

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About Me

I belong to God... completely! I live my life for Him, enjoying each day and making the most of it as I look forward to my future and hope with Him forever.
I am a wife of 34 years, a mother and a grandmother.
I spend most of my quality time encouraging others through writing. My exhortations are posted at http://www.thebridegroomscafe.com